In the wake of this week's swearing in of an interim Palestinian unity government, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon condemned the Palestinian leadership on Thursday for presenting a "sweet talking" front while undermining steps for peace with Israel.

"The Palestinian leaders are insincere in their sweet talk, regarding their intention to come to an agreement with Israel," Ya'alon said at an event in Tel Aviv.

Ya'alon called for Israel to stand firm against the Fatah-Hamas unity government, which he referred to as "an entity which just this week made a pact with a ruthlessly murderous terror organization, that pledges to harm Jews wherever they are, and also acts brutally against Christian minorities" within Jewish populations.